If you walked into Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall twenty years ago, you knew exactly what to expect. There was a certain rhythm to a Big Ten scrap. But things change. Honestly, the IU vs Michigan basketball matchup has morphed into something most fans wouldn't have recognized back in the Bob Knight or Steve Fisher days.
It’s about the coaching carousel now. It’s about the portal. It’s about two programs trying to reclaim a throne that’s felt a little dusty lately.
The 2025-2026 season has been a wild ride for both. Michigan is navigating life under Dusty May, who, ironically enough, is an IU alum. That adds a layer of "kinda awkward" to every game they play. Meanwhile, Indiana is finding its footing with Darian DeVries at the helm. He brought his son, Tucker, along for the ride, and that father-son dynamic has been the talk of Bloomington for months.
What Really Happened With IU vs Michigan Basketball Recently
The last time these two stepped on the court, it wasn't just a game; it was a chess match. Michigan has been leaning heavily on their new-look roster, featuring guys like Roddy Gayle Jr. and the massive Aday Mara in the middle. Mara is a literal giant—7'3" of problem-solving for Dusty May.
Indiana, on the other hand, lives and dies by the perimeter. Lamar Wilkerson has been playing out of his mind lately. He’s been carrying a massive offensive load, especially when Tucker DeVries hits those inevitable shooting slumps that happen when you’re the focal point of every scouting report in the Big Ten.
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- The Pace: Michigan wants to run. May’s system is all about spacing and transition.
- The Grit: Indiana under DeVries has become more about "grinding it out." They want to force you into mistakes.
- The Atmosphere: Whether it’s the Crisler Center or Assembly Hall, the home-court advantage in this series is basically worth six points. Minimum.
It's funny. You’ve got a coach in Ann Arbor who grew up in Bloomfield, Indiana, and graduated from IU. Then you’ve got a coach in Bloomington who spent his whole career in the Missouri Valley and Big 12 before landing in the center of Hoosier Nation. The irony isn't lost on anyone who follows this stuff closely.
The Strategy Nobody Talks About
Most people just look at the final score. That’s a mistake. To understand IU vs Michigan basketball, you have to look at the ball-screen coverages.
Dusty May loves to pull your big men out of the paint. If you have a slow-footed center, Michigan will pick you apart until you’re forced to play small. Indiana has struggled with this. Reed Bailey is a versatile forward, but when he gets switched onto a shifty guard at the top of the key, Hoosier fans start holding their breath.
Then there’s the turnover problem. In their recent matchups, the team that wins the "points off turnovers" battle usually walks away with the "W." Indiana’s guards, like Conor Enright, have to be near-perfect with their decision-making because Michigan’s transition offense is a buzzsaw.
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Basically, if IU can’t get back in transition, they’re cooked.
Why the All-Time Series Record Is Deceiving
If you look at the history books, Indiana leads the all-time series. They’ve won over 80 games against the Wolverines since the mid-century mark. But that doesn’t mean much today. Michigan dominated the late 2010s. They had a stretch where it felt like they couldn't lose to the Hoosiers.
The pendulum is swinging back, though. Since the coaching changes on both sides, the talent gap has closed. We're seeing more overtime thrillers and one-possession games than we have in a decade.
The Reality of the 2026 Season
Heading into the late-season stretch, both teams are fighting for seeding. The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. You’ve got Michigan State looking like a juggernaut and Purdue still doing Purdue things.
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For IU vs Michigan basketball, the stakes are simple: survive.
Michigan is looking for identity. They have the pieces, but sometimes they look like a collection of talented strangers. Indiana has the identity—toughness, defense, family—but they occasionally lack the raw firepower to overcome a bad shooting night.
Honestly, it’s the best kind of college basketball. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s unpredictable.
Key Factors for the Next Matchup
- The Mara Factor: Can IU’s frontcourt keep Aday Mara off the offensive glass? If he gets second-chance points, it’s over.
- Tucker’s Range: Tucker DeVries needs to be a threat from 25 feet. If he’s hitting, the lane opens up for Wilkerson.
- The Bench: Neither of these teams is exceptionally deep. The first team to get 15+ points from their bench is going to have a massive leg up.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re watching the next installment of this rivalry, keep an eye on the first five minutes of the second half. Both DeVries and May are known for making elite halftime adjustments.
- Watch the fouls: Tucker DeVries has been prone to "silly" fouls early in games. If he sits for ten minutes in the first half, Michigan will capitalize.
- Monitor the pace: If the game is in the 80s, advantage Michigan. If it’s in the 60s, Indiana is right where they want to be.
- Track the home/away splits: Michigan has been significantly better at home this year, while Indiana has shown some vulnerability on the road against physical teams.
The best way to stay ahead is to watch the injury reports for Jason Drake and Josh Harris. Indiana needs their full rotation to handle the depth of a team like Michigan.
The rivalry is alive and well. It just looks a little different than it used to.